Impact of Holotropic Breathwork on Nursing Student Mental Health

NCT07106554 | Terminated

• 1 other identifier: 0034-24-FB
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 2
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Purpose of the Study This study investigates whether Holotropic Breathwork (HB)-a technique involving controlled hyperventilation paired with music and guided support-can improve the mental, emotional, and existential well-being of nursing students. The researchers aim to: Evaluate the acceptability and impact of HB in this population. Compare psychological, interpersonal, and existential functioning before and after the breathwork session. Study Design Participants: Up to 72 current UNMC nursing students (age 19+), excluding those with bipolar/psychotic disorders, cardiac/seizure conditions, glaucoma, or recent surgeries. Pregnant individuals are excluded. Intervention: A single-day breathwork session, led by certified facilitators, including preparatory instruction, two breathwork rounds (one as "breather," one as "sitter"), and integration discussions. Data Collection: Surveys before, immediately after, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Instruments include: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Psychological Insight Scale Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale Purpose in Life Test Emotional Breakthrough and Mystical Experience Questionnaires Significance Nursing students face significant stress, anxiety, and even suicide risk. HB may offer a safe, non-drug intervention to support their mental health. While HB has been studied in other populations, this is the first known study targeting nursing students. Safety Measures Participants monitored by trained facilitators. Pre-screening includes a urine pregnancy test. Emergency plans include psychiatric assessment, Uber/Lyft rides if needed, and referral systems for mental health support. If \>15% of participants experience serious adverse events, the study will be halted.

Conditions

Mental Health

Keywords

holotropic breathwork; nursing student; mental health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9

  PHQ-9, 0 - 27 Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms. Scores classify depression severity (e.g., 0 4 no/minimal, 20 27 severe).

  6 months

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7

  0 - 21 Higher scores represent more severe anxiety. Scores of 0 4 = minimal, 5 9 = mild, 10 14 = moderate and 15 21 = severe.

  6 months

• Psychological Insight Scale

  6 - 42 (6 items × 1-7) Higher scores denote greater psychological insight and a higher likelihood of meaningful psychological or behavioral change.

  6 months

• Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale

  0 - 96 (24 items × 0-4) Higher scores indicate greater dysfunction (worse personality/self interpersonal functioning).

  6 months

• Purpose in Life Test

  6 - 42 (6 items × 1-7) After reverse scoring, higher summed scores represent greater psychological well being and a stronger sense of purpose.

  6 months

• Emotional Breakthrough Inventory

  0 - 600 (6 items × 0-100) Higher scores indicate a greater emotional breakthrough, reflecting the extent of emotional release or resolution.

  6 months

• Mystical Experience Questionnaire

  0 - 150 (30 items × 0-5) Higher scores indicate a more intense mystical or spiritual experience.

  6 months

Study Arms (1)

holotropic breathwork

EXPERIMENTAL

participants will experience holotropic breathwork

Behavioral: holotropic breathwork

Interventions

holotropic breathwork BEHAVIORAL

participants will engage in holotropic breathwork

holotropic breathwork

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \- Currently enrolled in a program at the UNMC College of Nursing (bachelor's, master's, or doctorate).
• years of age or older.

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at any point in life (per self-report).
• Diagnosed with a psychotic disorder or have experienced psychotic symptoms at any point in life (per self-report).
• Diagnosed with a cardiac condition, received care for a cardiac condition, or currently have cardiac symptoms (per self-report).
• Ever diagnosed with a seizure disorder (per self-report).
• Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as 140/90 mmHg or greater (measured the morning of the breathwork).
• Diagnosed with glaucoma or retinal detachment.
• Recent surgeries (unspecified, but likely judged as too recent for safe participation).
• Currently pregnant (verified with a urine pregnancy test the morning of the breathwork).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Nebraska: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Lincoln, Nebraska, 68506, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2025
• First Posted: August 6, 2025
• Study Start: August 28, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 31, 2025
• Study Completion: August 31, 2025
• Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)